TÜRKMENISTANYŇ DÖWLET, HUKUK WE DEMOKRATIÝA INSTITUTY
Myrat KULYYEV,
Researcher, Institute of State, Law, and Democracy of Turkmenistan
In the era of the Revival of a new epoch of a powerful state, effective efforts are being made to transition to a digital economy through the introduction of innovative technologies. The use of digital technologies in a modern market economy creates significant opportunities for timesaving’s in production and services.
Article 16 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan states: “The state promotes the development of science, engineering, and technology, and supports international cooperation in these areas. The state's scientific and technical policy is pursued in the interests of society and each individual. The state facilitates the introduction of scientific and technological achievements into production.” These constitutional norms are specified in the laws of Turkmenistan “On State Scientific and Technical Policy” (16.08.2014), “On Innovation Activity” (16.07.2014), “On Electronic Documents, Electronic Document Management, and Digital Services” (14.03.2020), and “On Electronic Government” (24.07.2022) and providing the legal instruments for their implementation.
The 21st century is a new historical era, characterized by the introduction of digital communications into all spheres of life. Digital technologies are currently having a dramatic impact on international relations, economic interaction, global trade and information exchange across the globe.
As defined in the Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the Socioeconomic Development of the Country for 2022-2028, based on the current state of digital interaction in the global economy, priorities include developing the electronics industry in accordance with the country's development strategy for the coming period, improving digital communications based on a national digital platform, fully transitioning to electronic document management and an electronic identification system through the introduction of digital technologies in economic sectors, remote production management and expanding the range of digital services.
These objectives require ensuring a sufficient supply of national electronic goods, improving the quality and accessibility of information and communication services, including internet services, expanding the range of these services and enhancing the professionalism of national IT specialists. In the era of globalization of IT services, information security is becoming increasingly important and protecting individuals, society, and the state from internal and external information threats is becoming increasingly important.
As is known, the Law of Turkmenistan “On Electronic Government” was adopted on July 24, 2022. According to Article 1 of the Law, e-government is a system of organizational and legal measures and technical means aimed at supporting government agencies in providing electronic government services to individuals and (or) legal entities through the use of information and communication technologies, as well as a system of interdepartmental electronic information exchange.
One of the main objectives is to further accelerate the development of ministries and industry departments using digital technologies and to simplify services provided to the public. To improve the digital service system, one of the planned tasks is to expand the range of the unified government services portal “e.gov.tm” which has been launched within the government services system. This portal provides communications, educational, medical, and social services, legal assistance, and a number of other services.
This service system envisages the introduction of a unified digital database of organizations in the public and private sectors, as well as enterprises in our country. The portal's main goal is to ensure the convenience of government services for citizens and businesses, improve the system of electronic services, and ensure their accessibility through modern digital solutions. The portal currently includes links to the websites of government agencies and institutions. This demonstrates the extent to which digital technologies have been integrated into the work of each ministry and department. Particular attention is being paid to expanding the portal's functionality: thousands of user accounts have been created to date. This demonstrates that the unified portal has become an integral part of citizens' daily lives, who, along with saving time, value convenience. After registering on the server, citizens can fully access all services: from paying for home internet online to registering for the State Migration Service's online system, as well as registering real estate rights and transactions. The Unified Portal is an automated, unified system for providing government services electronically. This approach provides a centralized system for receiving applications from applicants, monitoring their processing times, and increasing the transparency of the application process.
The development of digital technologies is crucial for the exercise of property rights. Through government digital services, citizens are able to quickly complete actions related to the registration of property rights (registering land plots, concluding contracts, registering documents in the state registry, etc.). This, firstly, enables the promptly registration of real estate rights using digital technologies. Secondly, it has a positive impact on the systematization of information on citizens' property rights by government agencies. Thirdly, contributes to the increased accuracy of the registration of citizens' property rights. Fourth, ensures the prevention of offenses related to property relations. Fifth, ensures the equal recognition, protection, and enforcement of rights.
With the introduction of a digital system in socio-economic sectors, the implementation of citizens' property relations is accelerated, efficiency and information security are enhanced. Unlike the previous, traditional procedure for state registration of rights to real estate and transactions involving it, the introduction of digital technologies in this area creates conditions for the prompt collection and analysis of data and documents in this area. Digital systems simplify the state registration of real estate rights. All local government bodies are connected to the central digital information and telecommunications network via a fiber-optic communication system. An official website has been launched at the domain www.gozgalmayanemlakgullugy.gov.tm, creating conditions for providing citizens with legal services through this official website, in particular, such as an electronic queue and an electronic application for an extract from the state register and certificates. Their effective use improves the quality of legal services and allows for prompt responses to emerging questions regarding property rights. From an economic and social perspective, the introduction of digital technologies is of paramount importance. This facilitates a qualitatively new level of relations between the state and citizens and ensures reliable protection of property rights.
The transition to a digital system, by simplifying human work, becomes more productive. A digital system creates extensive opportunities for the prompt collection of necessary information, the execution of relevant work, its analysis, the clear definition of long-term objectives, the preparation of programs, and monitoring of their implementation.
Under the leadership of the esteemed President, large-scale efforts are being carried out to digitalize all spheres of public life based on state programs. A key factor in achieving rapid development and the creation of a digital economy is the legal protection of emerging social relations. In this context, extensive experience is accumulating in implementing the achievements of national and international practice in this area.